Jeff Ulbrich considering significant change to NY Jets coaching staff strategy

The NY Jets' defense has been arguably the biggest disappointment of one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. A defense that was inarguably a top-five unit last year has fallen apart in 2024, and part of the blame has to be placed on interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.

Prior to Woody Johnson's shocking decision to fire Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start to the season, the Jets boasted a top-six defense in overall EPA, a top-four pass defense, and a top-15 run defense. The unit has completely bottomed out with Ulbrich in charge.

Since Week 6, the Jets have the 30th-ranked defense in the NFL in overall EPA. They actually ranked dead-last entering Week 11, including a bottom-four ranking in both pass and run defense. The Jets have had arguably the worst defense in football since Ulbrich took over for Saleh.

Ulbrich spoke to reporters on Monday following yet another Jets loss and insisted the team would use the upcoming bye week to assess their plans for the rest of the season. He didn't shut the door when asked about making a significant change to the defense.

Will Jeff Ulbrich relinquish play-calling duties?

Ulbrich was asked if he would consider relinquishing defensive play-calling duties moving forward, and the Jets' interim head coach didn't provide a definitive answer, instead that the team will "definitely assess everything."

As ESPN's Rich Cimini noted shortly after the press conference, it sounds like Ulbrich is at least considering making the change. It's become painfully obvious that Ulbrich has been overworked in recent weeks.

Ulbrich was forced to assume all of Saleh's head coach responsibilities to go along with his responsibilities as a defensive coordinator and play-caller. The results have been disastrous.

Jets cornerback D.J. Reed even acknowledged the defense's meltdown since Saleh was fired after Sunday's game. While he refused to admit that Ulbrich was in over his head, it's clear that the players recognize a significant difference since the coaching change was made.

Unfortunately, the damage has been done at this point. The Jets find themselves with a 3-8 record staring at a potential top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Whatever changes may be made post-bye week are probably too little, too late.

The Jets will take the next two weeks to reassess their coaching strategy for the remainder of the season. But whether or not Ulbrich actually gives up play-calling duties, the outcome will likely be the same — a 14th consecutive season without a playoff appearance for the most miserable franchise in the NFL.

More NY Jets news and analysis: